Content
The Pink Agate tomato is a mid-early variety bred by Russian breeders. It is resistant to the harsh climatic conditions of Russia, has good yield, and the size of the fruit allows tomatoes to be preserved for the winter in their entirety. Therefore, the variety is very popular among Russian housewives.
History of selection
The Pink Agate tomato is a pure pink variety bred by Russian breeders in the Moscow region on the basis of the Poisk agricultural company.
Entered into the State Register in 2015. In the annotation to the certificate it was designated as mid-season, but according to the initial information of the originator, Pink Agate is more likely to be mid-early. This tomato ripens quickly in greenhouse conditions.
Description and characteristics of the tomato variety Pink Agate
Tomatoes of the Pink Agate variety are small, bright fruits that resemble a scattering of precious stones.The leaves of the plant are rich green in color and medium in size. Compact determinate tomato bush Pink agate is not prone to growth, its height can reach 45-50 cm. The plant has long thin stems.
The fruits are oval in shape, medium in size, and their weight is 120-150 g. Pink tomatoes look like small, smooth barrels.
Unripe fruits are completely green, without any dark spots in the area of the stalk, and fully ripened ones are rich pink.
The skin of Pink Agate tomatoes is elastic and thin, but at the same time quite durable. The pulp is juicy.
Maturation period
The first fruits of the mid-season tomato variety Pink Agate ripen 90-105 days after the sprouts appear. But the full harvest is quite long - it begins in July and ends in August.
Tomato yield Pink agate
The fruits of this variety are formed in separate clusters of 6-7 pieces each. Weight can range from 120 to 150 grams. From one square meter of an open bed you can harvest up to 5.5 kg of tomatoes, and in a greenhouse up to 8 kg. This is a pretty good yield for tomato varieties.
Disease resistance
The tomato variety Pink Agate, bred by domestic breeders, is characterized by good disease resistance. But prevention must be done. With high environmental humidity and constant temperature changes, there is a risk of late blight affecting the plant.
When growing tomatoes of this variety in greenhouse conditions, whiteflies and mole crickets may appear on the bushes. Therefore, bushes should also be treated with special compounds against various pests.
Growing regions
Tomato variety Pink Agate is a heat-loving crop
The optimal temperature for growing these tomatoes is: daytime – 20-25 ºС, night – 16-18 ºС. But experienced Russian summer residents claim that the fruits of the Pink Agate variety develop and ripen well even in hotter climatic regions. They are successfully grown in the southern regions, where temperatures reach +30 ºС.
Pink agate tomatoes can withstand cold temperatures down to +10-12 ºС, but in this case it is better to cover the crop with film. In the northern regions of Russia, this variety of tomatoes can also be grown, but in greenhouse conditions.
Purpose and application
The fruits of the Pink Agate tomato are considered dietary. They have a delicate sweetish taste without harshness or acidity.
Application area:
- fresh consumption and salads;
- preservation for the winter in its entirety;
- production of tomato paste, juices, ketchup and lecho;
- preparing desserts, smoothies and cocktails;
- Great for drying.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tomatoes of the Pink Agate variety are in demand by Russian gardeners due to the crop's unpretentiousness to care, high yield, and taste. This variety of tomatoes is excellent for growing both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions in most regions of Russia.
Fruits can be preserved whole
Advantages:
- increased resistance to negative natural conditions;
- high productivity;
- tomatoes do not fall from the bushes even in strong winds;
- ripened tomatoes last a long time and are well preserved;
- excellent taste;
- wide scope of application.
Flaws:
- the need to tie up tomato bushes due to the heaviness of the fruits, which form in clusters on thin stems;
- risks of late blight due to late ripening.
Sowing seeds and planting in open ground
Pink agate tomatoes are grown using seedling technology. Tomato seeds are planted 60-65 days before planting on an open plot of land or in a greenhouse. Depending on the region where the crop is grown, planting material is sown during March, having previously been treated with special compounds against diseases and pests. The depth of laying grains in fertile soil is 1.5 cm.
Recommended seedling planting density – 4-5 bushes per 1 m2
This variety of tomatoes is quite hardy and tenacious. It is recommended to grow the crop in a sunny place, but it can also be grown in partial shade. Seedlings are planted in rows with a pitch of 70 cm. The distance between the holes of one row is 60 cm. Immediately after planting, the plants are covered for several days to protect them from possible night cold and bright daytime sun.
During the first week after transplanting tomato sprouts to a permanent place, it is not recommended to water them.
In this case, the plant is immediately planted in a large flower pot or other container and placed in the sunniest place.
Care instructions
After planting Pink Agate tomato seedlings, the bushes must be periodically watered and the soil fed.
It is enough to irrigate tomatoes 2 times a week; it is better to use drip irrigation for this. Recommended water temperature is 23-25 ºС.
Fertilizers can be added to the soil every two weeks.
Before the flowering period of the crop begins, you need to use nitrogen; you can add nitroammophoska and mullein to the bushes. After the plants flower, it is recommended to use superphosphate as a top dressing.
During the formation of fruit ovaries, experienced gardeners recommend spraying plants with boric acid. In this case, ripened tomatoes turn out much sweeter.
To reap a good harvest of tomatoes, the bushes must be pruned in a timely manner. This procedure is carried out early in the morning. These days there is no need to moisten the soil.
Tomato Formation Pink Agate
Pink agate tomato bushes are formed into 2-3 stems and must be tied up, otherwise they will not withstand the weight of the fruit
When growing in two stems, larger fruits are formed, and in three - small ones, but more of them are set. Therefore, you need to choose the option for forming tomatoes depending on their intended purpose.
Prevention of diseases and pests
Despite their good disease resistance, Pink Agate tomatoes require timely implementation of preventive measures.
Late blight is the main scourge of crops. Plants are susceptible to this disease when there are frequent environmental temperature changes and high humidity levels. Preventive procedures - ensuring timely watering of the crop, dressing the grains before planting. It is recommended to spray tomato bushes with a serum solution once a week. Affected plants are treated with Fitosporin.
Tomatoes in a greenhouse are often attacked by whiteflies. To catch these pests, you can use sticky tape, and to destroy the larvae, the leaves are sprayed with garlic solution and washed with soapy water.
When grown in open beds, tomato crops are often affected by the Colorado potato beetle and aphids, which are effectively combated by the following drugs: Alatar and Fitoverm. You can also use a solution of water and soap or ammonia.
Conclusion
The Pink Agate tomato is one of the best pink-fruited varieties that are very popular among Russian gardeners. It is suitable both for industrial cultivation and for cultivation in a small garden bed or in a greenhouse. The tomato is characterized by high yield, excellent taste and a wide range of applications.
Reviews from gardeners about the Pink Agate tomato
